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Q What became of the Russian basketball player Maria Stepanova, who at one time played for Phoenix Mercury? — Philippa Griffiths, Wrexham

A Stepanova was 17 when she became the youngest member of the Russian Olympic squad at the 1996 Atlanta Games. She joined Phoenix Mercury in 1998 but left in 2002 when she discovered she was pregnant. She rejoined the club in June this year at a time when they had a 3-10 record and immediately helped to transform their fortunes, as they won 11 of the next 15 games. She returned to Russia in August and with her went any chance Mercury may have had of reaching the playoff finals. She is expected to return to Phoenix next season but will be required by Russia for the world championship in Brazil, which is scheduled to be held at the same time as the Women’s National Basketball Association finals. Stepanova recently starred